PARK FALLS, WIS. – Alan Bernicky has been fishing competitively for 17 years. “I started out fishing as a boater in Bass Federation events, then switched to fishing as a co-angler in the Toyota Series in 2013,” he says. “I’ve also fished the MLF BFL several years and went to several All-Americans.”

Bernicky focused on the MLF Toyota Series in an attempt to win an AOY title, a goal he accomplished in 2023 at Lake of the Ozarks. “I caught three bass for 6-02 on Day 1 and three for 9-05 on Day 2 for a total of 15-07 going into the third and final day,” Bernicky says. “That third day turned out to be a strange one. I only needed one fish, but all the largemouth I was catching were short of the 15” minimum,” he recalls. “My boater, Tony Hatten, was great. He knew I only needed one keeper to win Angler of the Year, so when he saw I was hooked up with a legal-sized spotted bass, he was quick to grab the net and scoop it up for me!”

That single Lake of the Ozarks spotted bass – the only legal fish Bernicky caught that day – weighed a mere 1-01 but was indeed enough to accomplish Bernicky’s goal of winning Angler of the Year.

Known as one of the most consistent co-anglers in the game with five Toyota Series and Phoenix BFL wins, Bernicky kicked off the 2025 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats by winning the Southwestern Division opener as a Strike-King co-angler on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, late last month.

Bernicky’s Back-of-the-Boat Secrets

A St. Croix Rod and SEVIIN Reels ambassador, Bernicky is a boat owner but chooses to fish as a co-angler for several reasons. “I’m sure I could get a financial sponsor and fish as a boater but, realistically, that would require me to pick just one division,” he says. “As a co-angler, I fish wherever and whenever I want, on whatever circuits I want. The biggest thing is that I like getting to meet, fish with, and learn from so many different people. That’s the main appeal for me.”

Bernicky says fishing from the back of the boat has a litany of challenges but, ultimately, makes him a better angler. “Not having control over boat position forces you to constantly adapt and fish creatively.” For Bernicky, that often means finesse presentations. “Ultimately, it’s about committing to fishing something totally different than what your boater is fishing, so I choose lures that fish different structure or a different part of the water column… different targets,” he says. “Be respectful, stay out of their way, and don’t cast towards the front of the boat. Do that and they’ll be more helpful to you if and when you need them to be but, more importantly, you’ll be targeting different fish that may be more willing to bite.”

Bernicky says it’s hard to beat a weedless wacky rig in many situations from the back of the boat. He fishes them on a 7’1” St. Croix Victory Series, medium-heavy power MAX-FINESSE spinning rod (VTS71MHF). “I can make long, accurate casts with this rod, and – as its name implies – it excels at finesse presentations but has the necessary power to keep the fish I hook away from trouble.” Bernicky says other go-to presentations include light Texas rigs and finesse jigs fished on the Victory 7’3” medium-heavy THE MARSHAL casting rod (VTC73MHF).

During his recent win on Sam Rayburn, Bernicky caught several of his day-one and day-two fish on a drop shot along grass edges. But things changed on day three.

“My boater, Cole Moore was scoping deep most of the day, so I committed to throwing an Alabama rig on a Legend Tournament Bass POWER FLIP’N rod (LBTC711HMF),” Bernicky says. “Unlike your boater, you aren’t throwing at specific targets out there, so you need the ability to draw fish in. I only got two bites that last day on the A-rig, but those bites produced three fish. Cole knew I was in contention, so he went out of his way to help me on the last one. He saw my A-rig on his scope and saw a bass come up off the bottom towards it. Cole was watching how the fish reacted and told me to stop my retrieve and let it fall. When he told me to start reeling again, the blades re-engaged and the bass crushed it. I wouldn’t have caught that fish without Cole’s help, so that’s what I mean when I say stay out of your boater’s way, be respectful, and do your own thing. Do that and they’ll be more willing to help you out when you need it.”

Two bass, one A-rig... Bernicky's double that fueled his recent win on Sam Rayburn. MLF / Rob Matsuura Photo.

Bernicky says the increased use of forward-facing sonar among tournament boaters has turned away a lot of would-be co-anglers, but not him. “When you get a really good boater with forward-facing sonar, they are constantly chasing fish around, so it opens up unfished water for you at the back of the boat,” he says. “But it can be really hard watching them crush fish after fish while you struggle to get bit. That’s my biggest goal for this current season fishing as a Strike King co-angler again on the Toyota Series. I feel like I’ve already learned more than most, but I want to continue to figure out new ways to get consistent bites from the back of the boat when my pro is out scoping out in the abyss. I’ve learned tricks to get bit… lure selection, different things to do with cadence and retrieve… I have a lot of info I’m willing to share, but I want to learn more. That’s my challenge and I know it will make me an even better angler.”

MLF / Tyler Brinks Photo.

For other Strike King co-anglers on the Toyota Circuit, the thought of an even better Alan Bernicky is a frightening proposition. He offers some final suggestions.

“Always fish with confidence,” Bernicky says. “Staying aware of the little things that can make a big difference is one of the best ways to maintain that confidence. I don’t know how many times I’ve had zero or one fish at 3:00 in the afternoon and then caught four on my next ten casts. Learn from your experiences and trust that knowledge. And maximize your confidence by fishing the best rods and reels you can afford. I know that my St. Croix rods give me an upper hand on the water, and after making the switch a year ago, I feel the same way about my SEVIIN reels. They’re just smooth, ultra dependable, and perform exceptionally in every situation.